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Distribution[edit]

Pinus halepensis, the Aleppo pine, is generally found at low altitudes, mostly from sea level to 200 metres (660 ft), but can grow at an altitude of up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in southern Spain, well over 1,200 m (3,900 ft) on Crete and up to 1,700 m (5,600 ft) in the south, in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.[2][3]

Description[edit]

Pinus halepensis is a small to medium-size tree, 15–25 metres (49–82 ft) tall, with a trunkdiameter of up to 60 centimetres (24 in), exceptionally up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in). The bark is orange-red, thick and deeply fissured at the base of the trunk, and thin and flaky in the upper crown. The leaves ("needles") are very slender, 6–12 cm (2.4–4.7 in) long, distinctly yellowish green and produced in pairs (rarely a few in threes). The cones are narrow conic, 5–12 cm (2.0–4.7 in) long and 2–3 cm (0.79–1.18 in) broad at the base when closed, green at first, ripening glossy red-brown when 24 months old. They open slowly over the next few years, a process quickened if they are exposed to heat such as in forest fires. The cones open 5–8 cm (2.0–3.1 in) wide to allow the seeds to disperse. The seeds are 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long, with a 20 mm (0.79 in) wing, and are wind-dispersed.[2][3][4]

Cones

Foliage

Bark and trunk

Plate from Lambert's Description of the Genus Pinus

Related species[edit]

Aleppo Pine is closely related to the Turkish Pine, Canary Island Pine and Maritime Pine, which all share many of its characteristics. Some authors include the Turkish Pine as a subspecies of the Aleppo Pine, as Pinus halepensis subsp. brutia (Ten.) Holmboe,[5] but it is usually regarded as a distinct species.[2][3][4][6] It is a relatively non-variable species, in that its morphological characteristics stay constant over the entire range.[2]

Uses[edit]

The resin of the Aleppo Pine is used to flavor the Greek wine retsina.

From the pine nuts of the Aleppo pine is made a pudding called Asidet Zgougou in the Tunisian dialect; it is served in bowls, covered with cream, and topped with almonds and small candies.

Forestry[edit]

In its native area Pinus halepensis is widely planted for its fine timber, making it one of the most important forestry trees in Algeria and Morocco.[4] In Israel, the Aleppo Pine, along with Pinus brutia, has been planted extensively by the JNF. It proved very successful in Yatir Forest in the northern Negev (on the edge of the desert), where foresters had not expected it to survive. Many Aleppo pine forests exist today in Israel and are used for recreational purposes. Although it is a local species, the replacement of natural oak Maquis shrubland and garrigue with tall stands of pine has created "ecological deserts" and has significantly changed the species assemblage of these regions.[7] In Israel natural patches of Aleppo pine forests can be found in the Carmel and Galilee regions.[8] The species produces timber which is valued for its hardness, density and unproblematic seasoning. Seasoned timber is inclined to tear out with planing, but this can be avoided by using sharp blades or adjusting the sharpening angle of tools.[9]

Landscape[edit]

Pinus halepensis is a popular ornamental tree, extensively planted in gardens, parks, and private and agency landscapes in hot dry areas such as Southern California, where the Aleppo Pine's considerable heat and drought tolerance, fast growth, and aesthetic qualities, are highly valued.

Landmarks[edit]

The "Lone Pine", a prominent landmark tree at an ANZACFirst World War battle at Gallipoli, was a related species, Pinus brutia (Turkish pine). Cones from the battlefield from both species were taken home to Australia, and plants sourced from the seeds were planted as living memorials.[10]

Cultural references[edit]

Paul Cézanne had an Aleppo Pine in his garden at Aix-en-Provence; this tree was the inspiration and model for his painting, The Big Trees. As of 2005, the tree is still growing in Cézanne's garden.[14]